Pumped storage water electric power generation facility and reservoir utilizing coal combustion residuals

ABSTRACT

A pumped storage electricity generating system that includes a water feed line for introducing water into a pressure vessel. Water flow valves communicate with the pressure vessel to control introduction of water into the pressure vessel. A push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between opposed first and second winches adapted for reciprocating the push plate linearly between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel through the water flow valves and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This utility patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/316,429, filed May 10, 2021, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/013,070,filed on Sep. 4, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/993,718, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, which is a divisional ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/713,359, filed on Dec. 13, 2019,which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/779,686, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, the contents of which areincorporated by reference in this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the construction and use of pumped storagewater reservoirs and, in particular, the construction of such reservoirsutilizing Coal Combustion Residuals (referred to as “CCRs” throughoutthis application). CCRs, also referred to as “coal ash”, is producedprimarily from the burning of coal in coal-fired power plants. Coal ashincludes a number of by-products produced from burning coal, including“fly ash”, a very fine, powdery material composed mostly of silica madefrom the burning of finely ground coal in a boiler; “bottom ash”, acoarse, angular ash particle that is too large to be carried up into thesmoke stacks so it forms in the bottom of the coal furnace; “boilerslag”, a molten bottom ash from slag tap and cyclone type furnaces thatturns into pellets that have a smooth glassy appearance after it iscooled with water; and “flue gas desulfurization material”, a materialleftover from the process of reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from acoal-fired boiler that can be a wet sludge consisting of calcium sulfiteor calcium sulfate or a dry powered material that is a mixture ofsulfites and sulfates. Other types of residues include fluidized bedcombustion ash, cenospheres, and scrubber residues. CCRs are disposed ofor used in different ways depending on the type of by-product, theprocesses at the plant and the regulations the power plant has tofollow.

Some power plants dispose of CCRs in surface impoundments or inlandfills, or recycle it into products like concrete or wallboard. CCRsare increasingly regulated to prevent or reduce environmental impactfrom various disposal methods. In many instances, CCRs must be convertedto “beneficial uses” in a manner that does not pollute air, water orground.

These regulatory requirements are increasingly interrelated with thetrend of reducing the use of fossil fuels based on goals of reducinggreenhouse gas emissions, and with the greater dependence on the use ofrenewable energy. Because of these factors, the need and demand forgrid-scale long duration energy storage continues to increase and willlikely increase at a greater rate in the future. The need for longduration energy storage facilities will continue to increase becauserenewable energy, for example, various tide, wind and solartechnologies, often do not produce the energy when it is required.Periodic shortfalls in energy availability must therefore be backed upwith available power from other sources not subject to the variabilityand interruptions inherent in most renewable energy technologies.

Energy storage is also in demand for continuous running base load plantsthat are fueled by nuclear and/or fossil fuels to allow for optimumefficiency in the use of these types of plants. While some embodimentsof the apparatus according to this invention allow for electrical energyproduction without greenhouse gas emissions, there are also methods ofgenerating grid-scale long-term energy storage and electrical productionthat are low in greenhouse gases per megawatt of electrical energyproduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is an increasing need for long term energy storagefacilities at the same time as an increasing need to control the mannerin which CCRs are utilized so as to minimize environmental impacts fromcontinuing production of CCR-type byproducts of fossil fuel energyproduction. There is also the need for remediation of existing CCR pondsand landfills which are leaching constituents of concern intogroundwater. These and other objects and advantages are achieved byproviding a pumped storage electricity generating system that includesopen loop, recirculating and closed looped capabilities.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pumped storageelectricity generating system includes a pressure vessel, a water feedline for introducing water into the pressure vessel from a water source,a push plate for reciprocating movement within the pressure vessel, afirst push plate driver adapted for moving the push plate within thepressure vessel in a first direction for generating water pressurewithin the pressure vessel, a second push plate driver adapted formoving the push plate in a second direction that is the reciprocal ofthe first direction for generating water pressure within the pressurevessel and a water outflow for conveying the water pressure generated inthe pressure vessel to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pressure vessel isprovided containing a series of air dispersing plates that receivespressurized air through a series of spaced-apart air delivery feed tubesfed by a pressurized air delivery line, air flow valves communicatingwith the pressure vessel to control introduction of pressurized air intothe pressure vessel through a plurality of air entry orifices and airexhaust orifices. A water feed line is provided for introducing waterinto the pressure vessel, and water flow valves communicate with thepressure vessel to control introduction of water into the pressurevessel. The pressurized air dispersed by the air dispersing plates isadapted to uniformly give up energy to the water in the pressure vessel.A water discharge line communicates with the pressure vessel forconveying water downstream under pressure to a hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessel isadapted to work in an open loop, continuous cyclical manner duringhydroelectric power generation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels arelower in elevation than the water source and located at a higherelevation than the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels arepositioned in a parallel/side-by-side array.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure vessels arepositioned in a series/in-line array.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pump hydroelectricgeneration facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstockthat feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and througha power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine and into a lowerreservoir.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper reservoir andthe lower reservoir are contained in respective upper and lowerimpoundments constructed of encapsulated CCR, reinforced CCR slopes anda covering of natural or synthetic vegetation.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper and lowerimpoundments each include a base lined with an impervious liner and thereinforced CCR slopes are protected and reinforced by a roller compactedconcrete berm encircling the respective upper and lower reservoirs.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mountedfor movement in the pressure vessel between first and second winchesadapted for reciprocating the push plate between a first directionwherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second directionwherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge lineunder pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mountedfor movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinderassembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first directionwherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second directionwherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge lineunder pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mountedfor movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinderassembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first directionwherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second directionwherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge lineunder pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate is mountedfor movement in the pressure vessel between first and secondpiston/cylinder assemblies adapted for reciprocating the push platebetween a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressurevessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstreamthrough the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectricturbine.

According to another aspect of the invention, the push plate includesfriction-reducing rollers.

According to another aspect of the invention, a pumped storageelectricity generating system is provided and includes a leak detectionsystem that includes a primary leak detection zone constructed of animpervious liner, a geocomposite clay layer and a layer of encapsulatedCCR, a drainage layer and a base.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pumped storageelectricity generating system includes an upper reservoir and a feedwater penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoirto and through a power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine andinto a lower reservoir.

According to another aspect of the invention, the upper reservoir isformed by a dam behind which is stored water to be transferred to thepressure vessel, the dam being constructed at least in part of CCR.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dam is constructed ofCCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials andthe sloped sides of the dam are protected from weather and erosion bymaterials selected from the group consisting of rip rap, stone andenvironmental fabrics.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base of the dam isconstructed at least in part of CCR and is of a design selected from thegroup consisting of simple, slope-sided, core, diaphragm and sheet piledams.

According to another aspect of the invention, a roller compactedconcrete dam is constructed of multiple layers of compacted concreteformed in a stair step configuration and a secondary redundant dam withsloped sides constructed of CCR as a sole construction material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pressure vessel according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the pressure vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section of FIG. 1 in a directionperpendicular to the cross-section of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a circulating system that uses three pressurevessels that contain fixed air dispersing plates;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a pressure vessel that uses hydrauliccylinders to pressurize water contained inside of a pressure vessel;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pressure vessel of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a preferred embodiment of threepressure vessels that work in a continuous cyclical operation;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation cross-section of the pressurevessels of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows side elevations of simple, core and diaphragm earthen dams;

FIG. 10 is a cross section of one embodiment of a dam constructed usingsheet piling;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of one embodiment of a dam constructed usingrock fill;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a roller compacted concrete dam, with asecondary/redundant dam for safety constructed out of earthen materials;

FIG. 13 is a cross section of a water storage system having upper andlower storage reservoirs;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-section of a single action, one way pressurevessel;

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-section of an embodiment of a double-actingpressure vessel adapted to push water in the pressure vessel usingwinches;

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 15 showingwinch-activated water movement in a first direction;

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 15 showingwinch-activated water movement in a second, opposite direction; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic side elevation showing use of a horizontalhydraulic cylinder to charge the pressure vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one preferredembodiment of a pumped storage water FIGS. 1 and 2 are top plan, andvertical cross-section views of a pressure vessel 26 used to pressurizewater that is then delivered downstream to a hydroelectric turbine. Thepressure vessel system 10 includes a pressure vessel 26 that isconstructed of suitable pressure-resistant materials, which may includehigh-strength metals in combination with other non-metallic reinforcingmaterials. The pressure vessel 26 contains a series of air dispersingplates 12 that receive air pressurized by an air compressor/pressurizedair storage tank “AC”, see FIG. 2, through a series of spaced-apart airdelivery feed tubes 14 fed by a pressurized air delivery line 16 fromthe air compressor “AC”. Air flow into the pressure vessel 26 iscontrolled by air flow valves 18. Water to be pressurized is fed intothe pressure vessel 26 through a water feed line 20 that branches into aseries of water feed tubes 22. Water flow into the pressure vessel 26 iscontrolled by a series of water flow valves 24. Air is fed from thepressurized air delivery feed tubes 14 through air entry orifices 28into the pressure vessel 26 and exits the pressure vessel 26 through airexhaust orifices 30. The pressurized air dispersed by the air dispersingplates 12 uniformly gives up its energy to the water in the pressurevessel 26, which is forced out of the pressure vessel 26 throughdischarge feed lines 25 and valves 27 and into a pressured waterdischarge line 32 and conveyed downstream under pressure to ahydroelectric turbine. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispersal ofthe air laterally results in pressure being applied to the water, whichis at the same or similar level as the air dispersing plates 12 at thestart of the discharge cycle.

The air dispersing plates 12 are stationary and disperse/diffuse airunder pressure to travel horizontally across the surface of the water inthe pressure vessel 26 in lieu of jetting downward into the water. Thestationary air dispersing plates 12 are less expensive than the cost ofconstruction of a horizontal plate, which travels vertically up and downinside of pressure vessel to pressurize the water. Another advantage isthe decreased cost of maintenance of the fixed air dispersing plates 12.The stationary air dispersing plates 12 are supported by spaced-apartstructural supports 34. See FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a top plan view is shown of a closed-loopcirculating system that uses three pressure vessels 10 that containfixed air dispersing plates 12, as described above. The pressure vessels10 reside in a parallel/side-by-side layout, as shown, but may also beplaced in series/in-line relationship to each other. In FIG. 4, water istaken into the pressure vessels 10 through intake structures 36, whichmay be gravity feed or mechanical pumps, from an upstream water sourcesuch as a river, as shown, or from a natural or manmade lake,impoundment or other water source and delivered into the pressurevessels 10 through the water feed lines 20. Air pressure is controlledby an air pressure regulator 38. Pressurized water rotates thehydroelectric turbine 40 and the water, exhausted of its energy, flowsunder gravitational influence through a water return conduit 42 and backinto the water source. If dammed, as shown, the system is effectively aclosed-loop system since the exhausted water is returned to the samesource as where the upstream water is being taken from the water sourceand delivered to the pressure vessel 26.

While only one pressure vessel 26 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in practicea plurality of pressure vessels 10 will operate together in a stagedsequence whereby pressurized water is always being sent to thehydroelectric turbine by an operation of at least one of the pressurevessels 10 while the other pressure vessels 10 are in different stagesof operation, as shown in FIG. 3.

As an alternative to the arrangement of FIGS. 1-4, pneumatic cylinderpistons and hydro-pneumatic cylinder pistons can be used as the mainpiston for the apparatus in this invention in this application or theycan be used as the piston(s) for the reuse of piston air as describedbelow. These pistons can also use a parasitic load to run a hydraulicpump to increase the pressure with fluids if required.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a pressure vessel 50 that uses hydrauliccylinders to apply pressure upon water inside of the pressure vessel isshown. The pressure vessel 50 is supported within a support structure51, which includes a foundation.

Although FIGS. 5 and 6 show structural supports that are each twocylinders wide, there may be one to many cylinders at each structuralsupport location. A push plate 52 is mounted for reciprocating movementin the pressure vessel 50. Reciprocation of the push plate 52 occurs byoperation of piston/cylinder assemblies 53 that are mounted on thesupport structure 51 and attached to the push plate 52. Thepiston/cylinder assemblies 53, which include double-acting lines, act as“drivers” and may be hydraulically or pneumatically powered, or airactuators may be used. Water enters the pressure vessel 50 thorough avalved water refill line 49 and is forced by pressure applied by thepush plate 52 through a valved penstock water discharge line 55 to adownstream hydroelectric turbine via the penstock 56.

While only one pressure vessel 50 is shown, in practice a plurality ofpressure vessels 50 will operate together in a staged sequence wherebypressurized water is always being sent to the hydroelectric turbine byat operation of at least one of the pressure vessels 50, while the otherpressure vessels 50 are in different stages of operation.

The hydraulic cylinders 53 and push plate 52, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,can be re-configured in many different ways to push water from the sidesor bottom of the pressure vessel 50. Hydraulic cylinders 53 can also beconfigured to pull the water toward the penstock, acting as a driver topressurize the water, while the double acting hydraulic cylinders 53 arein the retracting mode of operation. Having the hydraulic cylindersconfigured to push or pull water from the side(s) of the pressure vessel50 will allow for the simple collection of hydraulic fluid in the eventof a hydraulic oil leak from defectives seals, lines, or cylinders. Airis vented from the pressure vessel 50 through air vents 57.

To remove possible concerns of governmental permitting authorities,governmental oversight, and inspection departments and/or agencies,along with environmental groups, a hydraulic pump can also be used topressurize water in the pressure vessel 50 by using one or morehydraulically operated winches acting as drivers to push water towardthe penstock as described in further detail below. This method keeps thehydraulic oil at a greater distance from the water inside the pressurevessel 50 as compared to the hydraulic cylinders 53 shown in FIG. 5 andFIG. 6. The winch embodiment inherently adds environmental safetyfeatures in case of the unintentional mixing of hydraulic oil with thewater inside the pressure vessels. The mechanical advantage of usingmodern hydraulic pumps and winches can be further increased by usingpulleys (block and tackle system) to increase the amount of pressurethat can be exerted upon the water inside the pressure vessels as thewater is pushed toward the penstock.

When pneumatic cylinders or air actuators are used in lieu of hydrauliccylinders, the pressurized air, which is released after the push plate52 has been used to discharge the water from the pressure vessel 50, canbe reused to engage a cylinder 53 to retract the push plate 52 to itsupper elevation to allow for the faster refilling of the pressure vessel50 with water.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a preferred embodiment of three pressurevessels 10 that work in an open loop, continuous cyclical fashion duringthe hydroelectric power generation is shown. The pressure vessels may bethe pressure vessels 10 of FIGS. 1-4, as indicated, or the pressurevessels 50 of FIGS. 5 and 6. The pressure vessel 26 and water intakes 36are lower in elevation than the water source and located at a higherelevation of the hydroelectric turbine 40.

FIG. 7 shows the pressure vessels 10 in a parallel/side-by-side layout,but these pressure vessels 10 can also be placed in series/in-line toeach other if the site conditions warrant. Pressurized water dischargelines 32 convey water to the hydroelectric turbine 40. Water is returnedto the water source by the water return conduit 42 to a tail water areadownstream of, for example, a dam so that the system is an open loopsystem.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view cross-section of FIG. 7. Thispreferred embodiment can be used with any of the pressure vessel typesdisclosed in this invention. The pressure vessels 10 configuration, asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be revised so that the hydroelectric turbineis higher in elevation than the pressure vessels. When the apparatus ofthis invention is constructed near the coast, this configuration willallow for protection from water surges as occurs during hurricanesand/or storms. The pressure vessels 10 in this configuration can berefilled by pumps or constructed at an elevation lower than the top ofthe water elevation.

Referring now to FIG. 9, three types of dams 60, 66 and 74 are shownthat can be used for the construction of a reservoir/water impoundmentsdisclosed in this application. Dam 60 is a “simple” dam that includessloped sides 62 constructed according to known civil engineeringprinciples and requirements.

Dam 66 is a “core” dam constructed according to known civil engineeringprinciples and requirements and includes a reinforcing “core” 68 that isanchored below grade to provide resistance against lateral shifting ofthe sloped sides 70.

Dam 74 is a “diaphragm” dam constructed according to known civilengineering principles and requirements and includes reinforcingdiaphragms 75, 76 and 77 that are anchored below grade to provideresistance against lateral shifting of the sloped sides 78.

Dams 60, 66 and 74 may include or consist of construction materials suchas earth of various types, or earth intermixed with other materials suchas stone and other aggregates. For purposes of this application the dams60, 66 and 74 are preferably constructed beneficially using CCR wastematerials in combination with other construction materials such asearth.

FIG. 10 illustrates a dam 80 in cross-section constructed using sheetpiling 82 as a central reinforcement. As with the dams in FIG. 9, dam 80is preferably constructed beneficially using CCR waste materials incombination with other construction materials such as earth. The slopedsides 84 are protected from weather and erosion by rip rap 86 and/orstone 88. While not shown, environmental fabrics or suitable type can beused under the rip rap 86 or stone 88 for further protection.

Referring to FIG. 11, yet another dam 90 is shown in cross-section asillustrative of several different possible types of dams constructedwith rock fill 92 and defines slopes 94. In the example illustrated, therock fill 92 is covered with an impervious membrane 96, which in turn iscovered with a protective covering of rip rap 98.

Referring to FIG. 12, a roller compacted concrete dam 100 is shown, andincludes multiple layers 102 of roller compacted concrete formed in astair step configuration. A secondary/redundant dam 104 with slopedsides 106 for safety constructed out of materials, which may include CCReither as a sole construction material, with other materials such asrock, sand, binders and earth, or earth as a sole material.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a pump hydroelectric generation facility110 that includes an upper reservoir 112, a feed water penstock 114 thatfeeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir 112 to and througha power house 116 and into a lower reservoir 118. In the embodiment ofFIG. 13 the upper reservoir 112 is contained in an impoundment 120constructed of encapsulated CCR 122, reinforced CCR slopes 124 and acovering 126 of vegetation. The base 128 of impoundment 120 is linedwith an impervious liner 130 and the bottom of the upper reservoir 112is similarly lined with an impervious liner 132. The upper slopes 124are protected by a strengthened CCR berm 134 encircling the upperreservoir 112 that may include synthetic fabric for slope stability berm134. The lower reservoir 118 is likewise lined with an impervious liner136. If the lower reservoir is a pond that once held CCR and wasexcavated to make the CCR base for the upper reservoir—no liner will berequired. This could change based on soil conditions of the site.

The pump hydroelectric generation facility 110 includes an optional leakdetection system 140 that is placed below the upper reservoir 112. Theleak detection system can be designed in many different configurationsthat achieve the same results, which is to be capable of determining ifthere is a leak in the protective barrier, typically a liner or someother barrier feature of the facility 110 has been damaged and/orcompromised to the point of failure. Leak detection systems 140 may beincluded in more than one area or elevation, may have one or multipleliner systems, may use one of several or a combination of liner typematerials such as HPDE(s) or Geocomposite Clay Liner(s), may containdifferent thicknesses and types of material for the drainage layer, mayinclude none or multiple layers of encapsulated CCR, which may vary, mayuse super absorbent polymers (SAP) or other commercially availableproducts in the drainage layer or leak detection zone, may use othersoil types, or may use other materials. In the leak detection system 140of FIG. 13, a primary leak detection zone 142 includes the liner 132,which may be textured 60 mil HDPE, a geocomposite clay layer 144,preferably 18 inches thick, and a 4 foot layer 146 of microencapsulatedCCR.

A drainage layer, which is part of the primary leak detection zone 142,resides above the layer of microencapsulated CCR 146 and below thegeocomposite clay layer 144. One method for the drainage layer would bea granular material that will let the liquid run to the side of thestructure—which would be readily visible. The drainage layer may be agranular material that will allow the liquid run to the side of thestructure—which would be readily visible. The leak detection system sitson the base 128 of the impoundment 120. Sensors may be provided atpositions in the top and bottom areas of the leak detection system toprovide an alert if a leak above a predetermined threshold value occurs.

In addition to the cost effective construction method of beneficiallyusing CCR for construction of fossil fuel storage facilities and/orpumped-storage reservoirs, many coal-fired power plants have beenretrofitted to use natural gas in lieu of coal to lessen CO2 greenhousegas emissions in the electrical generation process. The gas lines thatsupply the natural gas to these power plants can be used to delivernatural gas to a fossil fuel storage facility during peak or off-peakelectrical generation hours, depending on the capacity of the gas supplynetwork.

All of the pressure vessels disclosed in this application can be usedwith or without the beneficial use of CCR for the construction of thepumped storage reservoir and/or the fossil fuel gas storage facility.

The mechanical design of a hydroelectric turbine generator used in thepower-generating mode allows for a greater fluctuation in water headheight than the operating range for water pumps that are used to fillthe reservoirs in the recharging/refilling mode. As an example, ahydroelectric turbine generator could allow for a fluctuation in thedepth of water in the reservoir of approximately 1.5 times the designdepth (100 feet to 150 feet in height), whereas a pump would needmultiple different pumps configurations to push against the increasedwater head pressure to pump and refill the water reservoir from itslowest level to its highest level (as an example, 100 to 150 feet inheight). The hydroelectric turbine generator also has its greatestefficiency when the head pressure of the upper reservoir fluctuates asmall percentage in its optimal design depth. These engineering designcharacteristics will allow some applications, with sites that do nothave engineering constraints, such as blue line stream and/or protectedwetlands, to have a reservoir with a wider base and less height versushaving a higher elevation reservoir with less area of the reservoirbase.

Some hydroelectric turbines operate in reverse fashion, which allows thesame machine to pump water to a higher elevation to refill the upperreservoir in addition to being the hydroelectric generation unit whenelectricity is produced. Hydroelectric generation units can be eithersynchronous or asynchronous (induction) generators. Althoughasynchronous generators require inverters or power electronics to getthe electric power to grid frequency, there may be engineering designreasons when either a synchronous or an asynchronous type of hydroelectrical generation units will be used with this invention.

Some hydroelectric pump storage facilities have separate pump(s) andseparate hydroelectric generator(s). The pumps normally sit idle whenthe hydroelectric turbines are being used, but they can have the abilityto operate at full or reduced capacity while the hydroelectric turbineelectrical generator(s) are operating. When the depth of the upperreservoir has a large fluctuation from its lowest level to its highestlevel of water elevations, it may require several different types ofpumps to compensate for the large variations in elevation of the waterduring the recharging/refilling mode. Having several different refillpumps for a single reservoir decreases the utilization for each pump,which increases the overall cost per electrical production. There may beeconomic and/or engineering design reasons when separate pump(s) andseparate hydroelectric turbine(s) will be used. There may also beeconomic and/or engineering design reasons where one machine can provideboth the pumping and the hydroelectric generation.

The apparatus in this invention can be used in many different locationsthat have varying degrees of topography and many different types ofonsite or nearby geotechnical materials that may be used to economicallyconstruct both the upper and lower reservoirs.

Based on the water pump and hydroelectric turbine design characteristicsas discussed above, and with the understanding that many sites willallow for an upper reservoir that has a greater footprint/area in sizeand less depth in water and still hold approximately the same watervolume for the pump storage reservoir with a smaller footprint but witha deeper water impoundment area due to site constraints. The apparatusof this invention can be used on sites with CCR, but can also be used onsites that have no CCR and where other construction materials may be thebest choice for the most economical and cost effective method toconstruct dams, impoundments, or reservoirs other than roller-compactedconcrete or strengthened CCR. There are many different types of dam andreservoirs that can be constructed for use with the apparatus in thisinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a single action, one-way pressure vessel 160is shown in cross-section. The pressure vessel 160 is an integralcomponent of an electricity generating facility as described in thisapplication that includes an upstream water supply, a downstreamhydroelectric turbine and a downstream water discharge zone that may bea closed loop or open loop system. Also as disclosed, a plurality ofpressure vessels 160 will operate in sequence whereby pressurized wateris at all times being supplied to the downstream hydroelectric turbine.The pressure vessel 160 uses a hydraulically operated winch 162 andcable 164 as a driver to move a push plate 166 mounted for reciprocatingmovement within the pressure vessel 160. As shown, movement of the pushplate 166 towards the winch 162 pressurizes water in the pressure vessel160 and forces the water through a water discharge line 168 to apenstock, not shown. A separate, less powerful winch 170 and cable 172can be used to retract the push plate 166 during the water refillingcycle. Water is introduced into the pressure vessel 160 through waterfeed lines 174. Air is exhausted from the pressure vessel 160 throughair vents 176.

FIG. 14 shows only one connection point of the cable 164 to the pushplate 166, but depending on the design pressure of the hydroelectricturbine there may be several cables and/or several connection points tothe push plate 166. The pressure vessel 160 is shown as rectangular inshape, but many different configurations including circular ortrapezoidal pressure vessels can be used.

Single drum or double drum winches, or one to multiple winches may beused for each pressure vessel 160 depending on the size and designpressure. The design may use no pulleys or several different pulleysinside a block and tackle system configuration. The use of pulleys hasthe mechanical advantage of allowing the use of the same power ratedwinch to increase the pressure on the water inside the pressure vesselwith the disadvantage of the increased cost of additional cable lengthand spooling capabilities of the winch for the lengthened cable that isused in a pulley system.

FIG. 14 shows the pressure vessel 160 being level in elevation, but thepressure vessel 160 can be sloped in many different directions but withthe preferred embodiment of sloping the pressure vessel toward the waterdischarge line 168 that leads to the penstock with the optional use offairleads and or fixed placed sheaves to guide the cables 164 and 172.This possible sloped configuration will allow gravity to create momentumof the mass of water at the start of the discharge cycle of the pressurevessel 160. Although not shown in FIG. 14, pressurized air and/orhydraulic rams may be used to create the momentum of the mass of waterinside the pressure vessel when the winch 162 starts to pull the pushplate 166 at the start of the discharge cycle mode of operations.Pressurized air or air blowers may supplement the pressure on the waterinside the pressure vessel during the discharge cycle by depositing theair on the backside of the push plate 166, in addition to the forwardpropelling forces created by the winch 162. The cable 164, which travelsfrom the inside of the pressure vessel 160 toward the winches 162 and172, can be covered with a polymer or other type of material which willallow for a low friction interaction between the cables 164, 172 andtheir respective passage points from inside the pressure vessel 160 tooutside the pressure vessel 160.

Water inflow and outflow values will operate and function in the samemanner as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/013,070 andU.S. Pat. Nos. 10,781,787 B2 and 10,871,142 B2. The air vents 176 asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 14 will open as the push plate 166passes their locations as it travels towards the water discharge line168. The opening of the air vents 176 will allow air to flow inside thepressure vessel 160 so as not to cause suction forces on the back of thepush plate 166. The functional air vents 176 will be closed at the startof the winch-pulling mode, so that water does not pass through the airvents 176 Rollers 178 on the push plate 166 reduce friction on the top,bottom, and both sides of the push plate 166 as it moves. A drain 180permits the pressure vessel 160 to be emptied as needed.

The winch 162 of FIG. 14 is preferably a hydraulically operated winch,but electric and pneumatic winches can be used if desired. The pressurevessel 160 can be refilled with mechanical refill pumps, but thepressure vessel 160 can also be placed at an elevation lower than thewater source, which could allow gravity and/or a combination of pump(s)to be used to refill the pressure vessel 160. The push plate 166 canhave an increased depth to provide more stability and reduce the abilityof the push plate 166 to misalign during operation.

Referring to FIG. 15, a double-acting pressure vessel 190 is illustratedthat includes pulling winches 192 and 194 on opposing ends of thepressure vessel 190 and are designed to act as drivers to alternatelypush water out of both ends of the pressure vessel 190. A cable 196connects the winches 192, 194 and is attached to a push plate 198. Forfurther detail of push plate 198, see push plate 166 of FIG. 14. Withthe proper sequencing of water refill valves 200 and air inlet andoutlet valves 202, this embodiment allows for the refilling of thepressure vessel 190 nearly simultaneously with the water dischargingoperation through water discharge lines 204, 206 to the downstreampenstock and hydroelectric turbine. This will allow for a higherutilization rate of the pressure vessels 190, which will allow for lesscapital cost for the construction of the pressure vessels 190.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate water travel in the right to left directionunder the operation of the left hand winch 192 and left to right watertravel under the operation of the right hand winch 194. Operation of thesystem results in back and forth operation of the winches 192, 194 witha resultant reciprocation in the component elements of the systemresulting in continuous energy production. As previously noted withreference to other embodiments, the pressure vessel 190 is an integralcomponent of an electricity generating facility as described in thisapplication that includes a water supply, a downstream hydroelectricturbine and a downstream water discharge zone that may be a closed loopor open loop system. Also as disclosed, a plurality of pressure vessels190 will operate in sequence whereby pressurized water is at all timesbeing supplied to the downstream hydroelectric turbine.

Referring to FIG. 18, a double-acting pressure vessel 210 is shown, andincludes water feed lines 212 by which water is introduced into theinterior 214 of the pressure vessel 210. A push plate 216 having thesame basic structure and operation as push plate 166 of FIG. 14 ispositioned in the pressure vessel 210 and reciprocates within thepressure vessel 210 under the impetus and control of a double actinghydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218. During the pressure stroke thehydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218 moves the push plate 216 right toleft pressurizing the water in the pressure vessel 210 and forcing itout of the pressure vessel 210 through the water discharge line 220 anddownstream to the hydroelectric turbine, not shown. On the return strokethe hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 218 moves the push plate 216 leftto right with the rollers 224 reducing friction on the push plate 216.See also FIG. 14 and above description of FIG. 14 for further details.

Some examples of materials other than strengthened CCR orroller-compacted concrete that can be used alone or in combination inthe construction of dams, reservoirs and water impoundments, include butare not limited to rock fill, boulders, soil cement, earthen fill,cohesive soils, precast, sheet piling, secant piling, masonry, slag,concrete, soil mixing, existing elevation features such as hills andsurface elevation changes, grout faced rock, boulders, soil, or masonry,geomembranes on rock, boulders, earthen fill, or masonry, concrete facedrock fill, boulders, earthen fill, or masonry, steel, mine tailings,mortar fill between masonry or rock, rip-rap protection, underwater woodcribbing in combination with other materials and stone.

The above materials, along with strengthened CCR and/or roller compactedconcrete can be used when the base is constructed using CCR alone, orusing only the existing topography, or with the use or combination ofexisting topography and the beneficial use of CCR.

The construction and use of pumped storage water reservoirs and, inparticular, the construction of such reservoirs utilizing CoalCombustion Residuals according to the invention have been described withreference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of theinvention may be changed without departing from the scope of theinvention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferredembodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the inventionare provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for thepurpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.

We claim:
 1. A pumped storage electricity generating system, comprising: (a) a water reservoir; (b) at least one pressure vessel positioned in a lower, gravity inducing water flow position relative to the water reservoir and adapted for being gravity operated by water flow from the water reservoir; (c) at least one hydroelectric turbine adapted for being rotated by the water pressure generated by the operation of the pressure vessel to thereby generate an output flow of electrical energy; (d) a water feed line for introducing water into the pressure vessel from the water reservoir under gravity-induced pressure; (e) a push plate mounted for reciprocating movement within the pressure vessel; (f) a first push plate driver responsive to the water under gravity-induced pressure and adapted for moving the push plate within the pressure vessel in a first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel; (g) a second push plate driver responsive to the water under gravity-induced pressure and adapted for moving the push plate in a second direction that is the reciprocal of the first direction for generating water pressure within the pressure vessel; and (h) a water discharge line for conveying the water pressure generated in the pressure vessel to the hydroelectric turbine.
 2. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel is adapted to work in a open loop, continuous cyclical manner during hydroelectric power generation.
 3. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 2, wherein the feed lines are lower in elevation than the water source and located at a higher elevation than the hydroelectric turbine.
 4. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 2, and including first and second pressure vessels positioned in a parallel/side-by-side array.
 5. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 2, and including first and second pressure vessels positioned in a series/in-line array.
 6. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 2, wherein the pump hydroelectric generation facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes a hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.
 7. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 6, wherein the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir are contained in respective upper and lower impoundments constructed of encapsulated CCR, reinforced CCR slopes and a covering of vegetation.
 8. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 7, wherein the upper and lower impoundments each include a base lined with an impervious liner and the reinforced CCR slopes are protected and reinforced by a roller compacted concrete berm encircling the respective upper and lower reservoirs.
 9. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 1, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel by gravity or mechanical pumps and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 10. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 9, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel on a double-acting piston/cylinder assembly for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel by gravity or mechanical pumps and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 11. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 1, wherein the push plate is mounted for movement in the pressure vessel between first and second piston/cylinder assemblies adapted for reciprocating the push plate between a first direction wherein water is drawn into the pressure vessel and a second direction wherein water is conveyed downstream through the water discharge line under pressure to the hydroelectric turbine.
 12. A generating system according to claim 1, the pump hydroelectric generation facility includes an upper reservoir, a feed water penstock that feeds water gravitationally from the upper reservoir to and through a power house that includes the hydroelectric turbine and into a lower reservoir.
 13. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 12, wherein the upper reservoir is formed by a dam behind which is stored water to be transferred to the pressure vessel, the dam being constructed at least in part of CCR.
 14. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 13, wherein: (a) the dam is constructed of CCR waste materials in combination with other construction materials; and (b) the sloped sides of the dam are protected from weather and erosion by materials selected from the group consisting of rip rap, stone and environmental fabrics.
 15. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 13, wherein the dam is constructed at least in part of CCR and is of a design selected from the group consisting of simple slope-sided, core, diaphragm and sheet pile dams.
 16. A pumped storage electricity generating system according to claim 13, and including a roller compacted concrete dam constructed of multiple layers of compacted concrete formed in a stair step configuration and a secondary redundant dam with sloped sides constructed of CCR as a sole construction material. 